According to Marcus, “the article concerns whether formulations of scientific theories which eschew references to mathematical objects like real numbers and functions are better than ordinary ones which invoke mathematical tools ubiquitously.”

He said that “some philosophers argue that appeals to mathematics in science should be avoided since scientific theories are not about mathematical objects” and that “numbers are extrinsic to science which should properly appeal only to intrinsic objects (like elementary particles or forces).”

In the article, Marcus argues that the latter claim, which he calls the principle of intrinsic explanation, is false.